Customer Reviews

Leadville: The Struggle To Revive An American Town

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even though i grew up in colorado in the 80's & 90's i had no idea about the complex issues surrounding the superfund of leadville. this book was not as riveting as a novel, but drew me to read it for better reasons. i learned a great deal from this book about leadville and mining clean up in general. this book is the print edition of an educational IMAX film. it is compact, moves along at a good speed, and doesn't get bogged down in explaining too much but isn't completely superfical either.

i highly reccommend everyone reading this book so that they have a better handle of what it means to mine and then to subsequently clean up mining. these are important issues that impact how our society functions and this book is a good way to get some insight.

I loved "Leadville." I worried that a book about toxic waste and

bureaucracy would be boring, but Klucas's book reads like a novel with fascinating, vividly drawn characters I enjoyed getting to know. But besides being a fun read, the book describes an important environmental issue that few know

about, even though it's happening all over the west. Leadville's battle with the government is a poignant, sometimes humorous, story, and Klucas does a great job of reporting all sides of the issue. The unfolding drama carried me forward effortlessly.

Gillian Klucas presents a fascinating and insightful story of the superfund impact on Leadville and its people. Her inclusion of key participant's background provides strong foundations for their positions and actions regarding the EPA and cleanup strategies. This book provides an excellent perspective on the environmental consequences of mining, but perhaps more importantly illustrates how personalities with differing perspectives can work together towards a better outcome through collaboration.

Leadville is an town built on a mining heritage based on hard work and personal pride. This enlightening read leaves us with hope that Leaville will retain its character and uniqueness without succumbing to the community facade expressed in Vail and Breckenridge.

Gillian Klucas tells a wonderful story about the toxic mining legacy in Leadville, Colorado. Her book is a shockingly accurate and entertaining tale of the federal government's struggle to protect the children of Leadville without alienating the town's folk or destroying the wonderful mining heritage there. Using details only accessible to an astute investigative reporter, Klucas accurately details accounts of EPA's struggles, successes, and failures as agency scientists and managers face obstinate hired guns from the mining industries, concerned mothers, and raucous former miners in an effort to protect human health and the environment of Leadville.